SGC Blog

Posts by Steve Bice

The Father's Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative, written by Pastor Rick Gamache of Sovereign Grace Church in Bloomington, MN, is in my estimation the most riveting account of the eternal realities of Good Friday....

After the cruel, yet glorious, realities of the cross took place on Friday Jesus was taken off the cross and placed in a tomb. Incredulity. Silence, blank stares, sadness, anger, anxiety, despair, along with a myriad of other emotions must have been experienced by the followers of Jesus. Dreams crushed, hopes destroyed. We, knowing that the resurrection is just hours away, aren't crushed but rather expectant and hope-filled! This was not the experience of Jesus' followers that day so many years ago.
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Revival. Certainty. Wisdom. Joy. Understanding. Purity. Truth. These are all things each of us would desire to experience as we head into a new year aren't they? We long for our souls to be revived, to live with certainty and wisdom and a glad heart in the midst of uncertain days. The Psalmist declares, without qualification, that all of that (and more) is to be found in t...

I wanted to take a few moments to throw out a quick reminder for each of us, at Sovereign Grace Church in Bellbrook, as we continue to engage people following the election. Whether you're engaging via the posting of Facebook articles, Facebook memes, tweets, online discussion forums (or commenting on other's Facebook posts), or conversation with neighbors, co-workers, and ...

At all times and in all places, the gathering of the saints is a means of grace established by God for edifying his people. Christians gather to worship not because it might be helpful to us if all the stars align, not because it might be good for us if our leaders plan the service just right, not because it might be helpful if everyone smiles at us with the perfect degree...

Our friends at Desiring God have put together a helpful resource for us as we head into Holy Week. Eleven pastors/leaders have written morning and evening devotions for us from Palm Sunday through Easter to help us process what took place that historically pivotal week and what it means for us today. David Mathis, Executive Director of Desiring God writes this in his prefa...

Yesterday we witnessed a very signigicant event in the life of our country. As you all are aware of, at this point, the Supreme Court's ruling regarding gay marriage, and the re-defining of marriage, will have significant implications on not only our country, but us as a church family (and individual Christians). There are, of course, many resources for us to consider and ...

Increasingly, today, we hear misinterpretations (and misrepresentations) of a variety of portions of the Bible being taught. At least one result of this is that it is causing no small amount of confusion, misapplication, and even a distrust of the very word of God to us. It is imperative that we grow in knowing how to read, interpret, understand, and apply the Bible to our...

Due to very poor road conditions we have made the difficult decision to cancel or Sunday morning services. We do this very hesitantly but agree that is the best route to take this morning. Blessings on you and your family's on this Lord's day....

Want to get a handle on your finances? One Master Ministries is holding a six-week course beginning in just a few short weeks. For more information or to register, please go to www.onemaster.org. Please forward this to 5 people you know....

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for t...

Advent is a season where we look back, consider how it must have been for the people of God as they waited for the promised salvation of God, not knowing what to expect. And at the same time, we celebrate by looking back to the child who was born, the one who came as the Light in a world of darkness and brought redemption and freedom and victory to his people. And at the s...

I want to encourage married couples to join Joy and I in attending The Art of Marriage event being held at Bellbrook Community Church on November 14 and 15. It's a great opportunity to grow in our respective marriages and get to know others in the community as well....

A few weeks ago, at our Wednesday night ASK Prayer Gathering, I shared for a few minutes about "spinning plates" and the affect of doing so in our own strength (results mostly being anxiety). I mentioned that all of us are spinning multiple plates. Not just a few of us; all of us - it's just simply the way God has ordained our lives. We all feel that, right? Jobs, relation...

Communication. Oh how it is necessary. Clearly communicated information regarding anything is so vital for individuals, marriages, families, workplaces, and of course...churches. There are many ways we do try to communicate: Sunday mornings, emails, texting, phone calls, letters (what?!!), face to face visits, meeting up at the grocery. Yet, even with the amount of announc...

Our first few sets of membership classes have been taken. Now it's time to take the next step. We need each adult to fill out their own questionnaire ASAP in preparation for our first ever MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY on September 14!...

Ungodliness...does that define how you live? None of us would readily say that would we? But we must ask ourselves this question. Do we live the moments of our days with little to no thought of God? In the moments and details of our lives are we any different than our unbelieving neighbors and co-workers? Are we mindful of living in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:9-10...

I've had the joy of being involved in leading student ministries for over two decades. Youth of all ages, of course, are very valuable and we as a church have the joy of telling them the "glorious deeds of the Lord..." (Psalm 78:4). This is why we have children's ministry at SGC. But this is also the main thrust behind our intention to have a student ministry (Jr. and Sr. ...

I sit here in my office in Bellbrook, OH amazed and grateful as I consider the enormous sacrifice that men of the Allied Forces gave on that fateful day 70 years ago on the beaches of Normandy. No one doubts (save maybe a few) the importance of that landing in those days. We can read story after story outlining in brutal detail the gruesome task of taking the various beach...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUTH CAMP! With the Youth Camp deadline right on us (or kinda even past...) we wanted to encourage teens and parents of teens to register for the Youth Camp in August one final time. This will be a fantastic time together and we want to take every possible hurdle out of your way so as many as possible can enjoy it. So, to that end we would like...

For the last number of months I've had a number of people ask how they could be praying for my family and for our church. I've told them that concerning our church they could pray for wisdom to know what to do and when to do it. Well, as I have been praying and seeking what the Lord would have for us as a church through the preaching "diet" and discipling of the saints (c...

Joy and I are five weeks away from celebrating our 25th anniversary. As we look back through those years we quickly recognize the faithfulness and steadfastness of God. One of the means that God has used to remind us of his faithfulness in our lives has been through Joy's pen (or keyboard). Joy had a blog called "Cross Reflections" for a number of years and it is in those ...

Just another quick note to remind you that the make up date for the 3rd and 4th sessions of our Membership Meetings is tomorrow night (5/21) at 7pm (Bellbrook building). If this date doesn't work for you then we encourage you to register for the Saturday morning class on June 21. Please let Pastor Steve know if you are unable to make either date work....

We are so often blind to the work of God in our lives and tend to see only the areas needing drastic improvement. In reality, God is at work in each of his children and we need to become more aware of it, don't we?! Yes, we need to know about and grow in those areas needing improvement but we need to be more aware than ever of God's hand of grace in our lives....

Due to the possibility of severe weather tonight we decided to postpone the 3rd and 4th Sessions of our first membership meeting series. Bummer. I WANTED TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU!!! But it's better safe than sorry. And we can try to work around it by offering a few other options....

Most of us have heard the story of the Prodigal Son from the time we were young. In this story (Luke 15:11ff) we actually read of two sons. One son was a proud and arrogant rule-breaker. The other was a proud and arrogant rule-keeper. They were both in danger of judgment for their idolatrous self-reliance and in need of mercy....

A reminder that tomorrow, May 4, 2014 will be our first "First Sunday." Come and enjoy worship in song and preaching tomorrow morning, communion together, and then after the service a shared meal together (not a potluck, just bring food like you would if you were going on a picnic)....

Beginning THIS Sunday we will begin what we are calling "First Sunday." These "first Sundays" are meant to be longer than usual times of fellowship together as a church family. We'll meet for worship in song and the preached word, along with participating in communion as a church family. After the service is over everyone is welcome to join in on a "family" meal together. ...

Sovereign Grace Church will finally have the joy of holding a baptism service on Sunday, June 1, 2014. We'll plan on enjoying our "First Sunday" church family meal (bring food for your family - drinks will be provided) after our Sunday morning meeting. We'll then head over to Mike and Linore Burkard's house for the baptism service at 2:00pm where we'll sing, hear testimoni...

Attention all Ladies of Sovereign Grace Church: Come out for a night of fellowship and fun! Dinner at City Barbecue, dessert at Graeters, and a well-reviewed movie, "Mom's Night Out," with other ladies from the church. Click here for more information.
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Due to the Sugar Maple Festival in Bellbrook this weekend portions of both Main Street and Franklin Street will be closed and alternate routes will need to be taken to get to our celebration service Sunday morning. Please be sure to plan for the adjusted time it might take to follow any detours that the Bellbrook police have set up....

Come by the Bice house to watch the Sugar Maple Festival Parade this Saturday morning (11:30). The parade will officially begin at 11:30am with the national anthem but be sure to come early (anytime after 10:30). Some spots will be saved right outside of our house on Franklin Street but if you would like to sit as close to the parade as possible we would encourage you to d...

A wonderful writer, blogger, and good friend speaks of the joy of the resurrection in a compelling way as he says:
"The Old Testament foretold of this joy, the birth of Christ announced this joy, Holy Week seemed to extinguish this joy, but the resurrection of Christ is the point in history when the unassailable torch of God's joy emerged from the sea of foaming rebel hos...

The Father's Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative, written by Pastor Rick Gamache of Sovereign Grace Church in Bloomington, MN, is in my estimation the most riveting account of the eternal realities of Good Friday....

Entering into this wonderful weekend where we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus we will be contemplating and celebrating a lot of truth!! Exciting days! In preparation for Resurrection Sunday I wanted to point you to some videos of songs that we will be singing. Come on Sunday having familiarized yourself some with these wonderful songs!...

Good Friday. A day of utter darkness as Jesus, the Son of God, hangs on a cruel instrument of torture and execution, taking on himself the just penalty for our sins. In our place condemned he stood. A day of darkness, yes...but a day of hope for all those who place their trust in him.
"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to ...

After the cruel, yet glorious, realities of the cross took place on Friday Jesus was taken off the cross and placed in a tomb. Incredulity. Silence, blank stares, sadness, anger, anxiety, despair, along with a myriad of other emotions must have been experienced by the followers of Jesus. Dreams crushed, hopes destroyed. We, knowing that the resurrection is just hours away,...

On Maundy Thursday we consider a wealth of Jesus' teaching to his disciples (John 13:1-17:26), the details of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20""30; Mark 14:17""26; Luke 22:14""20), the Garden of Gethsamane (John 18; Mark 14:32), Judas' betrayal of our Lord (John 18:2), and the beginning of the proceedings that lead to Good Friday (John 18:12).
Take time to watch Crosswa...

The gospel is to inform and affect every single aspect of our lives as individuals and as a church...about sanctification, about doctrine, about the Holy Spirit, about relationships, about how we serve, about how we steward that which God gives us, about evangelism, and about our mission. But how does the gospel inform and affect the way we think and act every day about th...

As we know God accurately we grow to trust him fully and fulfill our purpose for living.
What King David knows about God practically helps him trust in God. In Psalm 25:1 it is God whom he says he trusts. He knows that there is only hope in Him. It is God that must be trusted, not men. It is God whom we must desire and not another. It is God that holds our yesterday, to...